North East Motor Guide

AUGUST 2 - 8 | 2019

2019 Nissan Pathfinder review

Ŷ FAMILY FOCUS: Pathfinder is a big imposing SUV aimed very much at the family.

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ST-L. The Ti steps up to 20-inch units.

INTERIOR At just over five metres in length and nearly two metres wide Pathfinder is large enough to fit seven seats in comfort and still provide 453 litres with all seats in place. This can expand to 1354 litres with the third row folded and 2260 litres with second and third rows down.

Pathfinder has the Nissan EZ flex seating system, with the second row seats to recline and slide to provide extra leg room to third row occupants. Another plus in the third row is that the 50/50 split row seats can also be reclined.

Interior storage is excellent with ten cup holders, six bottle holders, four 12-volt power

outlets and a useful under-floor storage compartment behind the third row of seats for extra security.

Maximum towing capacity is 2700 kg with the V6 engine, but just 1650 kg for the hybrid.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS The petrol-only Pathfinders are powered by an upgraded 3.5-litre V6 engine, while the hybrid variants rely on a supercharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit plus a 15kW electric motor.

Our test ST was fitted with the V6 petrol engine, which now delivers 202 kW of power and torque of 340 Nm at a very high 4800 rpm.

Ŷ Continued page 2 j/21d13123-v50/2319

NISSAN Pathfinder has been on sale in By ALISTAIR KENNEDY Australia since 1987, long before the term SUV was invented and vehicles of its type for the Pathfinder ST V6 2WD through to $69,390 for the Ti Hybrid. In a sign of the were simply called 4WDs. The current (fourth generation) Pathfinder times the premium for equivalent hybrid arrived here in 2013 with a smoother styling models is a reasonable $3000. and aimed at the suburban market. Subsequent upgrades, the most recent of which STYLING While early Pathfinder 4WDs were quite was in April 2019, have made it more refined, square and rugged in appearance the latest safer and with added technology.

Pathfinder comes with the choice of a models have evolved into the typical softer 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine or a supercharged SUV style with smoother edges and sleeker 2.5-litre petrol / electric hybrid and either profile.

At the front is the distinctive Nissan design two- or four-wheel drive. The previous diesel alternative was dropped for the gen-four signature ‘V-Motion’ grille and headlamps with boomerang-shaped LED daytime runmodel.

There are four equipment levels: ST, ST+, ning lights.

Alloy wheels are 18-inch in the ST, ST+ and ST-L and Ti with prices ranging from $43,390

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August 2 - 8 | 2019

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Ford Mustang Gt: 2020 details

By EWAN KENNEDY THE MY2020 Ford Mustang GT specs and details have been announced by Ford Australia with new options and standout colours giving it plenty of appeal. As will a further expansion of the company's Service Benefits program.

Mustang was re-introduced to Australia in December 2015, and has since become Australia’s most popular sportscar. Offered in Fastback and Convertible models, it has been the best-selling sportscar in Australia for 30 consecutive months.

The MY2020 Mustang GT Fastback will be offered with a new Black Shadow Pack that gives the Fastback model a unique look. The pack, exclusive to Fastback GT and priced at $1000, adds black painted roof, bonnet and side stripes, and grille Pony badging.

The optional High-Rise rear spoiler is also blackened when the Black Shadow Pack is selected.

Black 5.0L badging on the guards leave no doubt what’s under the bonnet This hot Mustang will ride on new design ten-spoke dark-finish 19-inch alloy wheels “The Black Shadow Pack takes the Mustang GT Fastback to another level,” said Mustang chief program engineer, Carl Widmann. “It harks back to some of the graphic and decal packages that we’ve had in the past.”

There are four new colours, including Grabber Lime. ‘Grabber’ paintwork was first offered in North America on early 1970s Mustangs and is the inspiration for Grabber Lime.

A second heritage colour, Twister Orange, is also new for 2020, as is a fresh

Ŷ BUILDING ON SUCCESS: Low, mean and very black is the Ford Mustang GT for the new year.

Iconic Silver, as well as the appropriately named Red Hot paintwork.

Forged 19-inch alloy wheels and Recaro seating options are likely to be chosen by many Mustang buyers.

Inside there's a new 12.4-inch customisable digital instrument display.

On a slightly more mundane, but very important note, the Ford Service Benefits program now applies to Mustang owners.

This includes the first four years/60,000km (whichever comes first), eligible customers will be able to service their MY2020 Mustang for a maximum recommended price of $299 (incl. GST) per A or B logbook service at participating dealerships.

The 2020 Ford Mustang will be on sale

in Australian Ford dealerships from November 2019, with pricing and further details to be announced closer to on-sale. It might be an idea to contact your favourite

Ford dealer before then, as there's likely to be a rush – and it would be a shame if you didn't have yours on your driveway in time for Christmas.

2019 Nissan Pathfinder review

Ŷ From page 1 Its Direct Injection Gasoline system provides better wide-open throttle performance for improved fuel economy and lower emissions.

All 2019 Pathfinder models are equipped with Nissan’s third-generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission with ‘D-Step logic control’ which simulates shifts in a stepped gearbox to suit drivers who won’t adapt to efficiency of CVT units.

SAFETY Following the 2019 upgrade all Pathfinder models now come with Emergency Braking with forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and intelligent cruise control. Previous features include six airbags; stability and traction control; speedsensitive door locking; tyre-pressure monitoring; rear cross traffic alert; blind spot monitoring; and IsoFix child restraint anchorage in the outer centre row seats.

Pathfinder ST+ adds Nissan's Intelligent Around-View Monitor with Moving Object Detection while ST-L now has adaptive LED head-

lights with auto-levelling.

The range topping Pathfinder Ti has a new feature called Rear Door Alert which reminds you to check if you’ve left someone behind.

INFOTAINMENT Information display is through an embedded 8.0-inch colour touchscreen that is sharp and easy to read with logical controls. There’s Bluetooth phone and audio streaming with voice recognition that’s easy to pair. There are twin USB ports on the lower grades, three on the topline Pathfinder Ti. The entry-level ST Pathfinder doesn’t come with satellite navigation although it is standard on all higher-specced variants where it also includes 3D mapping graphics. In case you still get lost these models also come with a compass.

ST-L and Ti variants get a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system while the Ti looks after rear seat passengers with a Tri-zone entertainment system with wireless headphones, remote control and HDMI and USB ports for video playback.

DRIVING With its large exterior dimensions there’s a bit of a climb for smaller occupants to get themselves in although the high driving position is a plus. It can be a bit of a handful to drive around town and especially in tight parking spaces.

The extra power and torque is noticeable and the big SUV moves sharply from a standstill thanks to the use of a CVT automatic. On the open road the added grunt together with firmer but not uncomfortable suspension and interior space make for a comfortable cruiser.

Like most modern SUVs Pathfinder is almost car-like in its refinement and general feel. Handling is reasonable although with its relatively high centre of gravity you can’t drive a Pathfinder as though it’s a car.

Fuel consumption from the V6 Pathfinder is listed at 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres in 2WD models and 10.1 with 4WD. We averaged in the mid 11s in our ST 4WD. SUMMING UP With more than three decades on the Australian market Nissan Pathfinder is a tried and

proven performer both on and off the road.

Although it’s due for a new model recent upgrades have added to its safety credentials and kept it up to date with the ever-changing technology enhancements.

Adding to the value equation Nissan has gone with the industry flow by increasing both the time and distance of their standard warranty to five years and unlimited kilometres.

AT A GLANCE ENGINE: 3.5 litre V6 petrol MAX POWER: 202 kW @ 6400 rpm MAX TORQUE: 340 Nm @ 4400 rpm DRIVELINE: Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT).

FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 73 litres FUEL CONSUMPTION: 10.1L/100km (combined)

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August 2 - 8 | 2019

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2007 - 2018

By EWAN KENNEDY THOUGH they have been built down to a price when compared with upper crust Mercedes models, the price trimming of the C-Class has been done intelligently. All the more so with each new generation.

We are looking here at the third generation sold from July 2007. When the gen-four was released in August 2014 Mercedes made a point the designers had aimed at providing buyers with a smaller S-Class. Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but quality is very good.

Mercedes C-Class is sold as a two-door cabriolet, three-door coupe, four-door sedan and five-door station wagon.

The company has always been strong in wagons as these are used in Europe by high-class companies as rep vehicles. Australians have always been keen on wagons, these days often built as SUVs rather than simply station wagons, but there are still quite a few traditional Merc wagons on offer on the used market.

Boot space is good and it’s reasonably easy to load. The wagon has a sloping tailgate that steals some capacity, and very bulky items may not be able to be carried. Perhaps it’s time to shop for a Merc SUV if that's the case?

This is a rear-wheel-drive car so those travelling in the back seats of sedans and wagons may find themselves a little cramped unless those in the front seats are willing to give up some space.

This situation has improved over the years as the C-Class cars have become slightly larger.

Sunroofs steal some headroom, particularly in the back, so if you're going to be carting tall teenagers, invite them on your pre-purchase test drive. Wagons will usually have better headroom in back than sedans.

Naturally the back seats in the cabriolets and coupes are smaller and only suited to kids, of tolerant adults. But that’s par for the course in this class.

There is a staggering range of petrol engines: four, six and eight-cylinder units are offered. Most are naturally aspirated, some use Kompressors (superchargers), others are turbocharged. In recent times the turbo-petrol units have become by far the most common.

Mercedes’ diesel engines have been popular for many years in Australia - long before they

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR Call an expert to carry out a full inspection no matter how good the Mercedes appears to be.

Ideally use a mechanic trained on Mercedes, or at least a senior inspector from your motoring association.

Do a visual check of the Merc inside and out for signs of damage or serious wear and tear.

Scuffed bumper corners are a sign of poor parking skills. As are scrapes on the wheels, the front-left is usually the first one to suffer. Perhaps

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were sold with any enthusiasm by other marques.

The newer diesels are a huge advance on the older ones in smoothness and refinement. Once the car is cruising at a steady speed we defy you to pick new generation diesel Mercs from petrol powerplants, however they can be surprisingly noisy at idle, especially when cold.

All sold in Australia by this time had automatic transmissions. Private imports with a manual box may have served time in Europe as taxis and done lots of hard kilometres.

Spare parts, servicing and repairs are obviously more expensive than for more mundane machinery, though not outrageously so.

We’ve heard very few complaints about availability and there are Mercedes dealers in many country cities and towns.

Insurance costs are generally reasonable for a car in this class, but get quotes before committing to buying a Merc if you're moving up in the automotive world from more everyday machinery.

A used Mercedes-Benz that’s been serviced throughout its life by an authorised dealer will cost more, but many consider them a worthwhile investment. Check the service books are genuine and haven’t been rubber stamped by private mechanics, no matter how good they are.

Mercedes-Benz Australia offers a very good used-car scheme on cars up to five years of age.

The length of the warranty varies according to the company's workshop’s assessment of the individual car.

The hot Mercedes-AMG models have tremendous engine performance and stunning handling dynamics. We won’t go into details here as the AMGs are aimed at significantly different buyers. Rather, we will cover them in a separate used-car review.

NISSAN Pathfinder, 2000, auto, good running, Bluetooth stereo, reversing camera, bar light, sunroof, 340,000km, regularly serviced, (XPD668), unregistered, $1990. Ph 0428 217 493.

Ŷ 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class if the previous owner hasn’t been good at parking their driving skills may also have been below par.

Uneven tyre wear, particularly at the front, may be a sign of hard driving, or, even worse, suspension that's been knocked out of alignment.

Be sure the steering is positive with no unnecessary free play in the straight-ahead position.

Mild brake squeal can be an irritation, but not actually a problem, but detracts from the luxurious feel of the Merc.

A noisy engine, or one that’s slow to start, may need expensive repairs or even a complete rebuild. Diesels are pretty expensive to overhaul.

Look for oil leaks under the engine and transmission. Sparkling clean metal in these areas may mean a very recent removal of oil.

HOW MUCH? Expect to pay from: $7000 to $11,000 for a 2007 Mercedes-Benz C180 coupe; $9000 to $14,000 for a 2007 C200 Evolution sedan; $14,000 to $20,000 for a 2009 C220 Avantgarde sedan; $18,000 to $24,000 for a 2013 C180 coupe; $19,000 to $24,000 2012 C250 Avantgarde sedan; $29,000 to $37,000 for a 2014 C200 Avantgarde wagon; $38,000 to $49,000 for a C300h sedan; $47,000 to $61,000 for a 2018 C250d wagon;

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CAR BUYING TIP Detailed service records are even more important in upmarket cars than others. Ask to see the books and go through them carefully. Make sure the odometer readings on the car tie in with the numbers on the books.

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